Belize’s geography, economy and society fostered a sense of interdependence and the need to work together as opposed to the more rigidly divided racial and class structures common to other colonies in the region. People of different backgrounds have always associated freely in Belize and often intermarry, resulting in a naturally diverse and harmonious culture. Belize is the only Central American country having English as the official language, but many people speak Spanish as well, and almost everyone speaks at least a bit of Creole (known as Belize Kriol).